The County budget — an overview

As your County Supervisor, I have the privilege and responsibility of working with my colleagues to set the county’s budget for each fiscal year. This year, we held open hearings during the week of June 11. Due to the unprecedented situation we are in as... Continue

The business of politics as entertainment

Many people feel that politics is a bore and during most days, such people don't think about politics at all; it's just not that important to them. They get up and go to work to pay the bills for food, clothing and shelter, and as... Continue

B2 or not B2 – that was the question

City Council certainly comes in for its share of criticism, but if Council never showed up for work it could not match the ineptitude of North Carolina legislators. Readers may recall that a while back, North Carolina enacted HB2, a law barring transgender citizens from... Continue

Can a house divided stand?

The annual civic celebration of the 4th of July is my favorite secular holiday. It is a reminder of our revolutionary origins and the triumph of Enlightenment values over the heavy, dead hand of the feudal values that still governed the British Empire in 1776. As a mass... Continue

Opening doors

It doesn’t matter that I’ve lived here since 1973, nor does it matter that Sonoma Valley is a relatively small area. I’ve been practicing real estate here since 1982 and I still get lost. A lot. That's why I'm not crazy about showing property to... Continue

The roots of ecstasy

Seeking ecstasy in everyday life fuels consumption of drugs, alcohol and food, prompts gambling, high-risk behavior, and sexual adventure. All these things excite and stimulate, prompting the release of endorphins, hormones which lessen pain and produce pleasurable sensations. Yet, even pain is connected to ecstasy.... Continue

Of great men

It’s stirring to see strong athletes kneeling down for fairness and respect and standing up for liberty. Great men care about the common good. They’re not out in left field. Let’s put the good guys back in the news and movies. I’m ready to be... Continue

Everybody loves a parade

Nothing draws crowds like a parade. Bang a drum, toot a horn, wave a flag, fill the streets with orderly lines of people and other people will line up to watch and cheer. Parades laid the foundation for today’s “Look At Me!” culture and were... Continue

California’s intra-party conflict

It takes a political junkie to keep up with California politics. The political landscape here is complex and there is a continuum of views within each of the two major political camps in county politics. Identifying the best candidates for local office requires a degree... Continue

Seeking Ecstasy

Why do people seek ecstasy, those moments of "getting out" of ourselves--getting high? Biochemically, ecstasy can be explained; receptor sites on brain cells connect to natural and man-made substances which reduce pain, and produce sensations and feelings we find pleasurable and relieving. In other words,... Continue

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